Bisphosphnates given by infusion rather than pill form are
forms of Zolendronic acid, a bisphosophate. Some health care providers
prefer these forms since the drugs are administered once or twice a year
and so do not depend on patients 'remembering to take their
medications'.

Calcitonin . Calcitonin works by inhibiting the work of
osteoclasts (cells that remove old bone). This osteopenia medication
can be administered by injection or by nasal spray. The nasal spray is
used once a day and it can be taken at any time of the day. It has
fewnegative side effects. Some report a 'runny nose'. Calcitonin has
been shown to decrease spinal fractures and increase bone density of
spinal vertebrae by 2.4% when used as directed for two years. If you
want to read more about this Osteopenia / Osteoporosis medication go to Calcitonin

MIV-711 is a potential new medication. It is currently in trials. To read more click on MIV-711

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
- Sometimes called Estrogen Replacement Therapy (ERT).
HRT has been approved for both the treatment and prevention of
Osteoporosis. HRT slows the accelerated bone loss that occurs in most
women during and right after menopause.
There are a number of serious risks with HRT including an
increased lifelong risk of endometrial cancer and increased lifelong
risk of breast cancer. Any woman considering
HRT as an osteopenia medication needs to discuss both benefits and
risks with her health care provider - especially if she has a family
history of cancer or other cancer risk factors.

In Japan and Italy, there is a drug called Ipriflavone which is marketed under different names. In other countries Ipriflavone can be bought as a natural supplement.

Strontium ranelate - Protelos is a new drug which both stimulates the osteoblasts and inhibits the osteoclasts. Information can be found at Protelos Strontium- malonate is in clinical trials in the USA.
If you live in a country where this medication has not yet been approved, you may want to check out Natural strontium

Statin drugs Osteoporosis. If you are taking drugs to lower cholesterol you might be helping your bones. See: Statins Osteoporosis

Teriparatide or Forteo is a medication sometimes prescribed for spinal Osteoporosis.
Although Forteo is not usually prescribed for Osteopenia, I
include it since so many readers have asked me to add a page about it.
Go to Forteo

Thiazide diruretices are often prescribed for
hypertension. But researchers have concluded "These findings suggest
the possibility of a preventive or therapeutic role for thiazides in
osteoporosis". A study published in Lancet in 1989. done by the
Department of Preventive Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of
Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee. concluded that thiazides protect
against Osteoporosis in elderly people. Read more at:
Osteopenia Medications -Thiazide Diuretics
Although most health care providers do not usually think of thiazide
diuretics as osteopenia medication, if you have hypertension you may
want to raise this in your discussion of your osteopenia care plan.

Other Osteoporosis, Osteopenia medications with a 'side effect' of aiding bone density are Beta Blockers